3 Parent-Tween Conversation Starters from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”

Do you have a tween who’s excited about Star Wars: The Last Jedi? If so, here are three parent-tween conversation starters from the film that are sure to get you talking.

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One of the earliest films I remember watching as a child was Star Wars: A New Hope. I was around six years old, and it was on VHS on a small 1980’s TV. Think Stranger Things era, without … well, the stranger things.

While I was just a mild enthusiast (who may have envied Princess Leia’s hair), my husband Ted was a bit of a fanatic as a kid. I have twin Star Wars-themed sheets in the closet and a plethora of memorabilia in the garage to support that statement.

Over thirty years later, Ted and I have now introduced our four girls to Star Wars.

It’s been fun to watch them experience these old stories for the first time. And, perhaps even more fun, to enjoy brand new Star Wars’ adventures with them.

For the past two years, our Christmas season has included a family outing to the movie theater to see that year’s film. In 2015, it was Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Last year, it was Star Wars: Rogue One.

This week, one of my daughters and I had the opportunity to see this year’s Star Wars’ film, The Last Jedi. While The Force Awakens still ranks as my favorite, this film gave us a lot of great things to talk about afterward.

3 Parent-Tween Conversation Starters from Star Wars: The Last Jedi

If you see Star Wars: The Last Jedi with your tween, here are three conversation starters you can talk about afterward over pizza or sushi.

1. Save What You Love

In a galactic war movie such as The Last Jedi, it’s easy for characters to get caught up in fighting what they hate. Yet, this film presents us with this idea instead: Save what you love.

It’s a great conversation starter with your tween on what motivates the battles we choose and the choices we make in those battles.

2. Failure Is a Good Teacher

Several of the characters struggle with a sense of failure. They feel defeated by their past choices. I think we can all relate to this on some level. At the same time, though, these characters are challenged to view failure as a teacher.

This film presents us with a great opportunity to talk to our tweens about failure. We can encourage them to, as some of these characters, choose to learn and grow as a result of failing.

3. Anyone Can Be a Hero

In this film, sometimes a hero is easy to recognize. Other times, he or she isn’t. Heroes don’t always fit into a mold or even do what we expect them to. As I watched, I kept thinking, “Anyone can be a hero,” and I found that inspiring.

The Last Jedi is a great conversation starter with your tween on what a true hero is. It offers you a beginning point to talk to them about what being a hero in their everyday life may look like.

Make the Most of Your Viewing Experience

Sure, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is an edge-of-the-seat (and funny, at times too) film to enjoy with your tween. Yet, with some intention, you can go beyond that and let this new film be an opportunity to have meaningful conversations with your tween.

[Disclosure: Tickets were provided for review, but all thoughts are my own.]

Ashleigh Slater is the author of the books, Braving Sorrow Together: The Transformative Power of Faith and Community When Life is Hard and Team Us: The Unifying Power of Grace, Commitment, and Cooperation in Marriage. She loves to combine the power of a good story with practical application to encourage and inspire readers.

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Team Us

"Team Us addresses one of the most important aspects of an intimate marriage: becoming one. With a whimsical and engaging style, Ashleigh Slater challenges us to build our 'team' with careful thought, perseverance, and commitment."

Braving Sorrow Together

"Reading Braving Sorrow Together is like sitting across from the best kind of friend – a friend who has been down the well-worn path of suffering and can listen, empathize and offer gentle guidance for the journey ahead. If you are walking through your own 'weeping years,' Ashleigh’s book will free you to grieve your loss while clinging to the hope that you are never alone in your grief."